Red Cross Diagnostic Centre, First EBUS Facility Launched in AP

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Sunday inaugurated a diagnostic centre set up by the Indian Red Cross Society near Zilla Parishad Junction, underscoring the State’s push to make advanced healthcare services more affordable and accessible.

After inspecting the facility, the Minister said the initiative is aimed at benefiting the poor and middle-class sections by offering modern diagnostic services at lower costs. He noted that the Red Cross has played a key role in saving lives through blood donation services and said the new centre would further strengthen early diagnosis and treatment.

The centre will provide a range of tests, including thyroid and fertility screening, cancer detection, tests for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, cardiac evaluations like ECG and treadmill tests, as well as liver and kidney function tests, blood sugar analysis and ultrasound services, according to Red Cross chairman Y. Rama Rao.

Earlier in the day, the Minister, along with District Collector Abhishikt Kishore, inaugurated an Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) machine at the Government Hospital for Chest & Communicable Diseases (GHCCD). He said it is the first such advanced facility in the State and is expected to improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in pulmonary care.

Citing hospital data, the Minister said outpatient numbers at GHCCD increased from 35,000 in 2023 to 45,000 in 2025, while major surgeries rose from 359 to 649, attributing the rise to improved services and medical staff efforts.

He added that Andhra Pradesh has rolled out free cancer screening programmes and established advanced cancer care centres in Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Kadapa and Guntur.

District Collector Kishore stressed the need to maximise the use of the new facilities and said the administration would explore Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support to further upgrade healthcare infrastructure.

Senior health officials and doctors were present at the event.